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The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) includes two major research/teaching universities, two metropolitan/region universities, two state colleges, three community colleges, and a college of applied technology. The USHE institutions are committed to providing challenging and useful instruction as well as a well-rounded student life that includes campus cultural and athletic activities, counseling and career services, and wellness programs. Use the resources below to learn more about academic choices and student life.
MIssions and Roles
Types of Certificates and Degrees
General Education
Suggestions for Exploring Your Options
Missions and Roles
Colleges and universities have different missions and roles in higher education. Community colleges have two missions: prepare students for work and prepare students to transfer to a bachelor degree program at a state college or university. Community colleges provide developmental education for students who need to fine tune their basic skills, and certificate and associate degree programs in general education and applied technology. State colleges have the same mission as community colleges. In addition, they also offer select bachelor degree programs. Universities provide bachelor and graduate programs in a variety of professional, technical, and academic fields. Many universities have a second mission of research. For more on missions and roles, see Colleges and Universities. Use your understanding of the different institution missions and roles as one of the criteria in selecting the school that's best for you.
Programs of Study (Certificates and Degress)
Colleges and universities offer different programs of study certificates to doctoral degrees. Certificate programs usually consist of a group of specialized courses that, when completed, certify that the student has mastered specific skills or knowledge. Usually, certificate programs prepare students for entry-level employment and take one to two years to complete. Degree programs include a required set of general education courses and a sequence of academic or technology-related courses. Associate, bachelor, master, or doctoral degrees require a longer time commitment to complete than certificate programs but often provide greater lifelong employment opportunities. Explore the program of study definitions below. Use your understanding of these different programs as another criteria for selection a college.
General Education
General education is an integral part of associate degree programs. Students who earn an AA or AS at a USHE institution degree have fulfilled the lower division general education requirements at all Utah public colleges and universities. Transfer associates degree programs also allow students to explore a range of subjects in preparation for a particular major. With planning, students should be able to complete, within the transfer associates degree program, general education and other graduation requirements as well as required prerequisites for upper level course work in their intended major. NOTE: Major prerequisites for a bachelor's degree are determined by the bachelor degree-granting institution, not the two-year institution. Check with an advisor or transfer specialist at the four-year institution for specific transfer and articulation information.
Suggestions for Exploring Your Options
College can be more than academics. Extracurricular activities like student government, athletics, and performing arts, enrich a college experience. Also, the campus setting and size of the student population will have an impact. Within the Utah System of Higher Education, there may be one institution that better fits your academic and campus life expectations. Consider the following activities to help you identify the best college for you:
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